Pediatric Sleep & Behavior Specialist - BCBA - 25 Years Experience
Expert-backed resources for overwhelmed families
I'm Tina — a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 25 years experience in the behavioral health field with an endorsement in infant mental health.
I help families understand and improve their child's sleep and behavior.
My guides make that expertise available to every family, any time.
BCBA
Board certified behavior analyst since 2001
25 years
Working with kids and families
*Neurotypical and neurodivergent
Infant Family Speciaist
Endorsed by Colorado Association of Infant Mental Health
Expert Conversations
Interviews with sleep & child development experts
*More to come
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"I enjoy sharing the laughs, witnessing the milestones, and offering support during the struggles."
I'm a mom of twins... I survived toddlerhood, and I'm currently surviving the teenage years (send help). Don't get me wrong, not *just* surviving, loving it too. For over two decades, I've worked with families from all walks of life, with all kinds of kids and all kinds of challenges. What keeps me going? Seeing what happens when a child finally starts sleeping well. It's never just about sleep. It's the parent who stops dreading bedtime. The toddler who wakes up happy instead of dysregulated. The family that finally feels like themselves again. When kids sleep better, everything gets better — their emotional health, their behavior, their ability to connect and grow. I've seen it hundreds of times, and I never get tired of it.
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FAQs
Do you still work with families? How can I work with you?
Yes, I still work with families. I currently have a full caseload. Send an email to Tina@sleepplaycalm.com to inquire about availability. Sleep assessment and treatment are delivered via telehealth. My hourly rate is $150 and 2-6 sessions are typically needed to address behavioral sleep concerns.
Do you work with neurodivergent kids (e.g., ADHD, Autism)?
Yes. My expertise is assessing and designing treatment plans that can work with neurotypical and neurodiverse children. I have over 20 years of experience working with children and adults with a variety of diagnoses to include autism, ADHD, and mental health issues.
Do you treat medical causes of sleep disturbances?
No. If you suspect there is a medical reason underlying the sleep issue you should make an appointment with your child's pediatrician asap. Symptoms related to medical causes include, but are not limited to, the following: snoring, trouble breathing, sheets and bedding in complete disarray in the morning, and excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting the recommended amount of sleep based on age.
How do I find a competent sleep specialist?
The title "Certified Sleep Coach" isn't regulated in the U.S, which means anyone can take a certification program and call themselves a certified sleep coach/specialist. It's important to look beyond the label and consider the coach's qualifications.
Look for professionals with advanced degrees and certifications/licenses in other fields, in addition to training/mentorship/certification in sleep. For example, LCSWs, OTs, RNs, BCBAs, etc. This way, you can be sure the person has an advanced degree, and they are certified/licensed within their field which is overseen by a regulatory board. Since I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, this means I have a master's degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy-and my regulatory board is the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
The Pediatric Sleep Council came up with a guide to help parents find a competent sleep coach. sleep coach education final.pdf - Google Drive
What makes you a competent sleep specialist?
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has stated that the first-line treatment for behaviorally related sleep problems (i.e., not medically based sleep problems) in children is using a behavioral approach. Because I have a master's degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy and am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 25 years of experience, I feel confident in treating sleep issues using a behavioral approach. I received additional training in behavioral approaches specific to sleep problems by attending professional workshops and trainings, reading sleep-related books and research articles, and undergoing a mentorship by Dr. Brett Kuhn, Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute and director of behavioral sleep medicine at the Children's Sleep Disorders Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Sleep Play Calm
Sleep and Behavior Consultant